Program Manager

About the role

• Program Planning and Development: Lead the development of program objectives, strategies, and action plans in alignment with USDA priorities and policies. Work collaboratively with stakeholders to identify needs, set goals, and establish performance metrics.
• Budget and Resource Management: Manage program budgets, allocate resources effectively, and monitor expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with funding requirements.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers, agricultural organizations, government agencies, and community groups. Collaborate with stakeholders to solicit feedback, gather input, and foster partnerships to support program goals.
• Project Coordination: Coordinate the implementation of program activities, projects, and initiatives across multiple stakeholders and partners. Establish timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure timely and successful completion of objectives.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish monitoring and evaluation systems to assess program performance, track progress towards goals, and measure outcomes. Collect and analyze data to identify strengths, challenges, and areas for improvement.
• Policy Compliance: Ensure compliance with USDA regulations, policies, and procedures governing program implementation, reporting, and accountability. Stay informed about relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Communication and Reporting: Communicate program updates, achievements, and challenges to stakeholders, USDA leadership, and other relevant parties. Prepare regular reports, presentations, and briefings to convey program status and outcomes.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and obstacles to program success, and develop mitigation strategies to address them. Anticipate challenges, adapt plans as needed, and proactively resolve issues to minimize disruptions.
• Training and Capacity Building: Provide training, technical assistance, and capacity-building support to program staff, partners, and stakeholders. Foster knowledge sharing, skill development, and continuous improvement within the program team.
• Collaborative Leadership: Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. Lead and motivate team members to achieve program goals, promote innovation, and uphold professional standards.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in agriculture, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in program management, project management, or related roles, preferably in the agricultural or government sector.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build consensus, motivate teams, and cultivate positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and strategic planning abilities, with a demonstrated track record of managing complex projects and achieving results.
• Knowledge of agricultural issues, policies, and programs, as well as experience working with rural communities and agricultural stakeholders.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software, as well as Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collect, interpret, and synthesize data to inform decision-making.
• Effective communication skills, including written and verbal communication, presentation skills, and the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.

Additional Information: CORE COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork - ability to foster teamwork collaboratively as a participant, and effectively as a team leader
• Leadership - ability to guide and lead colleagues on projects and initiatives
• Business Acumen - understanding and insight into how organizations perform, including business processes, data, systems, and people
• Communication - ability to effectively communicate to stakeholders of all levels orally and in writing
• Motivation - persistent in pursuit of quality and optimal client and company solutions
• Agility - ability to quickly understand and transition between different projects, concepts, initiatives, or work streams
• Judgment - exercises prudence and insight in decision-making process while mindful of other stakeholders and long-term ramifications
• Organization - ability to manage projects and activity, and prioritize tasks

Other Requirements

• Business Tools - understanding and proficiency with business tools and technology, including Microsoft Office. The ideal candidate is advanced with Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word, and proficient with Adobe Acrobat, data analytic tools, and Visio with the ability to quickly learn other tools as necessary.
• Commitment - to work with smart, interesting people with diverse backgrounds to solve the biggest challenges across private, public, and social sectors
• Curiosity - the ideal candidate exhibits an inquisitive nature and the ability to question the status quo among a community of people they enjoy and teams that work well together
• Humility - exhibits grace in success and failure while doing meaningful work where skills have an impact and make a difference
• Willingness - to constantly learn, share, and grow and to view the world as their classroom

Additional information

Risk Management | Compliance | Business Processes | IT Effectiveness | Engineering | Environmental | Sustainability | Human Capital